Rajon Rondo Steals, Raises $76,000


Rajon Rondo was, is, and always will be a thief. The 25-year-old recorded 153 steals last season, approximately 2.25 per game—good for second best in the League. Yesterday, Rondo, through a partnership with energy drink company Red Bull, priced each of his 153 regular season thefts at $500 a piece and helped raise $76,500 for upgrades—from repairing cracks and color seal coating, to replacing of hoops and backboards—at 13 city-owned courts. Boston.com has the details: “‘That’s where I got my toughness from,’ he said, while answering a young girl’s question about what is his favorite aspect of having played regularly outdoors during his childhood and teen years. And, knowing the number of steals he made for the Celtics this past season could help improve the quality of outdoor courts across Boston, the star point guard said he had added incentive to pick-pocket his NBA opponents. Through a partnership with energy drink company Red Bull, Rondo Rondo’s regular season thefts were worth $500 a piece and helped raise $76,500 for upgrades. Five of the courts, including those at the historically iconic Malcolm X Park, were selected through online voting to each receive $15,000 toward major renovations. ‘It means a lot that I can give back to this city,’ he said, calling it his ‘second home.’ ‘The city of Boston itself has always embraced me. I’ve been here for five years and I feel very welcomed. It was important for me to give back. I love working with kids,’ he added. ‘It’s very humbling for me to be a part of this.’… There, Rondo, Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Red Bull officials from the ‘Boston’s Got Wings’ program handed out 153 Nike basketballs to 153 children who attended the ceremonies. ‘I tried to get as many steals as possible for [Red Bull] to come out and give back,’ said Rondo, noting that during his youth, access to playgrounds was ‘key.’ ‘I wouldn’t have become the player I was today if I didn’t have street ball, playgrounds,’ he said. ‘I was out here every day practicing. This is one of those sports you can [practice] by yourself.’ Boston Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Mary Hines, a longtime Celtics fan, said, ‘This is more than just someone giving back.’ ‘Rondo is demonstrating to the youth of this community that his commitment is more than just throwing a few dollars at something,’ she said. ‘He cares about them.'”